Knitting machine



Nov. 10, 1953 s, R, SHELM|RE 2,658,366

KNITTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 1952 INVENTOR. STANLEY R, SHE/ MIRE y idd/L7;

ATTORNEYS.

Patented Nov. 10, '1953 FFICE Thisinventi'on.. A has particularv I4I" efe1r1`e t6 irved latch f 1,' '.hl InIk the mejnty e knitting meehineepere- Y tiene, the letti1 Leiten ee'dles ere" properly 5 eontreueab he i; "pzwniehlre en the needles., Under 4certagl" c rstances; however, soinr Vall f the., l 1dlfe's may; at times, be devoid of yl'ops .fsolt at. thellatchesf are free to take arltraryw Provisions ,are sometirn'e's' n ade Ifo" ingthelatches Atoinsure that they reihwm4 in .p 615er p lont, at other t'rhe's, thgard's`vafi net belprowidedfat enti- @nl nosiinfls. i'nsn h dnrnedflernni phases nf ini'rn'iin ine ,1i Clinsinny bmsdnfinsdinbe either oioen'ed or 'datthjes'alrne needle posi-l tions. i. inenhnninnMi/.ns here been .liefeifni i Pili. their enquire. son: trois Qfsn. i" nsifsnintimsslbenssn: ciated' with K fer thel burpse o; insuring l'arper"r Vnee Jagproachmtg the, ,1at\cli @Pns Whi'nlg. Pn nlelnin.,ihnnnSn-f fins gnns nnfhineslin si', bayern ncnnrntelynnsi.- tienne For, n .Inra eeesrenss may. .bfe ,inside in. the patent to Oberholtzer, No. 21,657,137, .dated June 19 .1951- l1?n?.@Frngemmmllllad in this Oli)erholt@er V1; g,.`tlent',..prvisionis nage for insuring that needlesfeppreach a latch openerv at' a properheightw th'atvthepo'intof :thenlatch opener may enter loellfirifdv theulatchfor proper nnenins Oninii'nn- ...linnn nesdleislni en. correct height, it is Ifossiplethatthexlatch opener would engage the. sh'inkrl ,hnoknfihn needle ihns breaking inegnsdle. nnd-.nnnsinsnnnsinsrv able damage. Asi/Will b' VidentfromrsaidOber-, holtzer patent; mechanically elaborate devices are required ferlthecoitrol of thev latch opener and the needle 1eve1e1".v.

`Diicultyleslcife V ri'ence often i'nthecase of ne gauge mach; sf, 1n vadju/Sting latchspen.- ers,l since the Kneedle 'ks ,are soylsnl'all thet, though theV setting m "rret,,.there may be ,suffisent tweentherla'tch op I or burrY the ne'edlesgsbL that yarn vlibres' may loe' damaged to such an extent a's to p'roduc'e imperfetfabric. .t

Mechanicallatch'p n action by springs` y t from the'needl' Stiff latch@ In' case several n e latches' before th t its operatlyeypom (c1. sel-111) possiblev damage to seineial needles, sinke'rs 6r einer knitting elementi;

When retenes@ epened by mechanical meses; they havegyee ti` esgetendeneyee reeeufgqeq it i's'ztheefoe gen'erallff consideredvnecessary to use a latchcper which is' longenough tcjxplfelv-` Vent ther'n fron again Aclosinguntil their needles canl he noved to a position where they may be heldnnsn bynlnihsnnidf i In ihn knitting @inns n.. se. ,fabric .ii is. essen: iin'l, in ,Oide in nvin.. rifisnilinsn inni. the, neiilelinfn's' ein@ isliunn ,lsishes bnnfving slightly stiff action are smetimes difficult tov 5..;1; .m .Mb v- C. .ljwg esnsnrdnnns with .ine presentinrsntion. sifnple latch opening device of pneirnatic type is. nrnrided.- blssiiniris.directed against the, hi, '1 .f .f` thsneedle the general dirssiiqn Qiihs needle lsnsinlpnin soins .oinsi .approprie ai@ .liinniinnf end this.. nlnstof sir, acting Lon lthe SPOn .nf .the 1ntch,..wi.11 canse .into @pen in 1911.-.. able ifnshinnf. Piefernblmtheblnst is maintained;

until ihnlneedlninnves-e .snsh position. thntn While. the invention. .hns more .general sweets., itispertisnlerlwsefnl innsinnetion with@ knit# ting.meehine of., the. .snnerpnsed Cylinder .iiypsfi As applied, to .sucnninnnhinen .current of is. .edirsnief into inwlnis, nf nn4 unifierv vCylinder with .tneresnltinnt the @scenes `finfin i'l open .lower ends. viennese ,slots .nnd...i..s.. thereby tsdielly..asninsntns-,nnnsit nnolsf. n need s thslstnh ,Q f Wliinislreqniresi in nn.

inning. ins isrfssstiii..inwinnen.willA be, Pnriinlnlfls'.

d; 115 L"11. opemngf ara ement of j ymere general app'lij ktt' machines'e'fthesigljcylindertype-L.. f

When Stitches have been pressed 01T dii'ring'A downward movement of needles, there exists the possibility, unless some means is present to insure inward movement of the fabric, that the pressed-off stitches may be caught by the needles during a subsequent rise with resultant damage to the needles or to the fabric or may form a tuck-like stitch which, in the case of formation of a draw thread, would prevent subsequent withdrawal of the draw thread. In accordance with the present invention this possibility is avoided by providing an air blast against the freed stitches to move them inwardly prior to rise of the needles.

'I'he broad objects of the present invention relate to the attainment of the latch opening and pressed-off stitch positioning in accordance with the foregoing. These and other objects particularly relating to details of construction and operation will become apparent from the following description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary axial section through the adjacent ends of the cylinders of a superposed cylinder type of machine, the section being taken in the region in which latch opening occurs and specifically at the position indicated by the section line I-I in Figure 2, there being also illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 1 the means for controlling the air flow;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary interior development of the cams controlling needle movements in the vicinity of the latch opening position showing, additionally, a latch guard and certain openings therein for the passage of air; and

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary axial section showing the latch guard and the air openings therethrough.

The lower and upper cylinders of a superposed cylinder type of machine are indicated, respectively, at 2 and 4. In respective slots 6 and 8 in the lower and upper cylinders there are arranged to slide lower sliders i and upper sliders I2 which control the movements of double-ended needles I4 of conventional type with which there cooperate the lower sinkers i8 and the verges 20. The remaining portions of this type of machine need not be described in detail since they are conventional except for the latch opening arrangement which will be described.

The machine may be considered to be of the two-feed type which, among other operations, is designed to provide a press-off draw thread. As is known, such draw thread is produced with knitting occurring on alternate needles in the upper cylinder while needles in the lower cylinder also knit at the main feed, then rise to clear their latches, and are then depressed at the auxiliary feed of the machine to cast off the stitches so drawn while the needles in the upper cylinder hold their stitches. The needles in the lower cylinder, then without stitches, are raised again to a clearing level and pass again through the main feed cam arrangement for the seizure of yarn. In Figure 2 there is illustrated at 22 the auxiliary feed stitch cam. As the lower cylinder needles are lowered by this stitch cams action on their sliders the stitches held under the latches of the needles are cast off. The lower sliders are then raised by the successive cams 24 and 26 to clearing level. During this rise, the latches must be opened in preparation for the seizure of the yarn at the main feed. The latch opening has heretofore generally been accomplished at this time through the use of mechanical latch openers such as disclosed in said Oberholtzer patent.

The path taken by the upper ends of the hooks of the lower cylinder needles during the rise over cams 24 and 26 is indicated at A in Figure 2. A latch guard is provided which, when the latches are properly opened, will maintain the latches open following the completion of rise over the cam 26. As indicated in Figure 1. this latch guard is provided with a sharp lower edge, indicated at 3|, so that if a latch is only partially opened it will be fully opened as the needle rises to overlap the latch guard.

In accordance with the present invention, use is made of the fact that each slot 8 in the upper cylinder is in axial alignment with the needle corresponding thereto in the lower cylinder, and as the needle is rising along the path A the upper end ot the needle is quite close to the lower end of its corresponding slot 8. At the same time, the

. upper slider in each of the slots 8 is riding with its lower butt at the upper welt level indicated at 28 in Figure 2 so that the portion of each slot 8 which does not contain a needle in the upper cylinder is cleared for the possible passage of air at the level of the latch guard 30.

The latch guard 30 is provided with a series of downwardly and inwardly sloping holes indicated at 32 in the circumferential region of approach oi' the needles to the latch guard along the path A. The outer ends of these holes 32 communicate with an elongated opening 34 in a manifold I8 provided with a bore 38. The bore 38 communicates with a tube 40 which is connected to an air supply line 44 through a valve 42 the stem 46 of which may be acted upon by the lever 48 controlled by a plunger 50 from the main cam drum of the machine to provide for flow of air at proper times during the machine operation.

Also connected to the tube 46 by a T 52 is a. tube 54 terminating in a flattened, horizontally-extending nozzle 66 located as shown most clearly in Figure 2 to direct air radially inwardly across the upper ends of the hooks of needles in the lower cylinder where these needles are in their lowermost positions below or immediately following the lower end of cam 22 and prior to their rise over cam 24.

Desirably, there is also included in the air supply line a device 58 of conventional type, the stem 60 of which is held upwardly by air pressure so long as the supply pressure is adequate to produce proper blasts through the passages 32 and 56. If the supply fails, the stem 60 will drop and, by connection to the usual stop motion of the machine, Will stop the machine before any damage occurs. This action may be effected by causing stem 60 in its upper position to maintain closed a switch 62 which is in series with an electromagnet 64, the secondary of a transformer 66, and a contact 61 engaging a lever 12 which is grounded. The electromagnet 64 when energized raises the left hand end of a pivoted armature 68 against the action oi a spring 69 to maintain the armature extension 10 within the hook of a pivoted lever 12 urged clockwise, as viewed in Figure 1, by a light spring 13 but having its upper end engaged by an arm 14 acted upon by a strong spring 16. The arm 14 is connected to a shaft having an arm 11 connected by a link 18 to the conventional mechanical stop motion of the machine, i. e. to the mechanism which will release a connection to the driving pulley and/'or stop a driving motor or otherwise eiect stoppage of the machine. So long as the stem 60 is held raised by the supply pressure. the parts will occupy the positions illustrated in Figure 1. Howatteso@ ever if; the steelt' fails the Stem t@ will dma opening, switch 52 and deenergizing elect.romagnet 64. This, in turn, permits rocking of armature ,Gli to release extension from lever 12 which may thereupon be rocked counterclockwise by the action of spring which exert-S a pull on link 'I8 to stop the machine. At the seme time. the, Contact. at 61 is opened in the secondary circuit of the transformer. When the pressure of the supply is reestablished, switch 6,2, will be clQ-.Scd but the electromagnet will not be reenergized until running of the machine is reestabllshed whereupon the parts are restored to the positions illustrated.

The operation mayv be described as follows:

During the phases of operation of the machine requiring latch opening. the valve 42 is opened to admit air tothe bore 3%, of the manifold. from the opening 34 of which the air flows through the openings 32 inte the portions of the slots 8 be- 10W the upper sliders I2. Theseportions of the slots are circumferentially bounded by the latch guard so. that the lower ends of the Slots form, in effect, tubular passages for the direction of air blasts upon the upper ends of the needles in the lower cylinder. The air blasts thus directed downwardly impinge upon the spoons of the latches ol the needles driving the latches to open positions. As will be evident particularly from Figure 2, the blast on each needle begins to act when the needle is rising and approaching the latch guard. The blast thus provided insures that the latch will be opened before the needle heel; rises to the level of; the edge 3| of the latch guard. After the hook passes this level,l the guard itself maintains the latch open and will fully open the latch in the event that the air blast has not moved the latch to its lovvermost position. The use of a plurality of openings at 32 insures that the blast on each needle is of sufiicient duration so that its latch will be opened and held opened until the latch guard takes over the function of maintenance of the open position.

While the slots in the upper cylinder are utilized in the arrangement just described to direct the air blasts in the direction of the lengths of the needles, it will be evident that the invention may be applied to machines of single cylinder type 4by the provision of means located above the needles for securing similar direction of the air blasts. Or the air blast may be directed outwardly towards the backs of the needle hooks and will thus open the latches, such an arrangement being adoptable also in the case of superposed cylinder machines in which the air may be directed outwardly between the cylinders. Various intermediate directions of the air blast may also be used for the same purpose.

At the same time as air is admitted t0 the openings 32, air is also directed through nozzle 56 against the stitches which Will have been pressed off the needles in the lower cylinder, as these needles were lowered by cam 22, and which may be located above the needle hooks in such position as possibly to be engaged by the hooks as the needles next rise over cam 24. The blast of air from nozzle 56 Will drive these stitches and the fabric inwardly suliciently to prevent such engagement.

What is claimed is:

1. A knitting machine comprising independently movable latch needles, and means for directing a blast of air upon the hooks of the needles for opening the latches thereof.

21Avknitting machine comprising indecente ently movable latch needles, a.. latchguard positiered t0 be overlapped by the needles during movements thereof, an opening in said latch guard, and means for directing air vthrough said opening and upon the hook ends of the needles approximately in the direction of the lengths of the needles for opening the latches thereof prior: to overlap of the latch. guard by the needles- 3. A knitting machine comprising independently movable latch needles, a latch guard posi-- tioned to be overlapped by the needles during movements. thereof, a plurality of openings in; said latch guard, and means for directing air' through said openingsy and upon the hook ends of the needles approximately in the direction of the lengths of the needles for opening the latches thereof prier to overlap of the latch guard by the needles.

4. A knitting machine comprising super-posed slotted cylinders, independently movable latch needles mounted in the slots of one of said cyli-n` ders, and means for directing air into the slots oi the other cylinder to providev a blast of air from the open ends of the last mentioned slots upon the hookk ends of the needles approximately the, direction of the lengths f the needles for opening the latches thereof.

5. A knitting machine comprising superpose@ slotted cylinders, independently movable latch needles mounted inthe- ASlots of one ci Said' y1-v linderos, a latch guard substantially closing pe-f ripheral portions of the slots of the.- other cylinf der and positioned to be overlapped by the nee dles during movements thereof., en opening said latch guard for leading air into the slots of the second mentioned cylinder, and means for directing air through said opening into the last mentioned slots and thence from the open ends of the last mentioned slots upon the hook ends of the needles approximately in the direction of the lengths of the needles for opening the latches thereof prior to overlap of the latch guard by the needles.

6. A knitting machine comprising superposed slotted cylinders, independently movable latch needles mounted in the slots of one of said cy1` inders, a latch guard substantially closing peripheral portions of the slots of the other cylinder and positioned to be overlapped by the needles during movements thereof, a plurality of openings in said latch guard for leading air into the slots of the second mentioned cylinder, and means for directing air through said openings 'into the last mentioned slots and thence from the open ends of the last mentioned slots upon the hook ends of the needles approximately in the direction of the lengths of the needles for opening the latches thereof prior to overlap of the latch guard by the needles.

7. A knitting machine comprising superposed slotted cylinders, independently movable latch needles mounted in the slots of one of said cylinders, a latch guard substantially closing peripheral portions of the slots of the other cylinder and positioned to be overlapped by the needles during movements thereof, a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings in said latch guard for leading air into the slots of the second mentioned cylinder, and means for directing air through said openings into the last mentioned slots and thence from the open ends of the last mentioned slots upon the hook ends of the needles approximately in the direction of the lengths of the needles for opening the latches thereof 7 pi'l'o t overlap of the latch guard by the needles.

8. A knitting machine comprising independently movable latch needles, means for moving needles lengthwise to press olf stitches carried thereby and for thereafter reversing the lengthwise movements of the needles, and means for directing a blast of air against the fabric to move the pressed off stitches out of the path of the needles in their last mentioned movements to prevent engagement of the pressed of! stitches by the needles.

9. A knitting machine comprising independently movable latch needles, means for moving needles lengthwise to press oilr stitches carried thereby and for thereafter reversing the lengthwise movements of the needles, means for directfing a blast of air against the fabric to move the :pressed oi stitches out of the path of the needles in their last mentioned movements to prevent engagement of the pressed off stitches by the zneedles, and means for effecting opening of the needle latches following the action of the vblast yof air on the fabric.

10. A knitting machine comprising independ fently movable latch needles, means for moving needles lengthwise to press oi stitches carried thereby and for thereafter reversing the lengthwise movements of the needles, means for direct- :lng a blast of air against the fabric to move the pressed oi stitches out of the path of the neeydles in their last mentioned movements to prevent engagement of the pressed oi stitches by the needles, and means for directing a blast of air upon the hook ends of the needles approximately ln the direction of the lengths of the needles for opening the latches thereof following said action of the flrst mentioned blast of air on the fabric.

11. A knitting machine comprising independently movable latch needles, means for directing a blast of air upon the hooks of the needles for opening the latches thereof, and means for stopping the machine upon failure of the supply of air for said blast.

12. A knitting machine comprising independently movable latch needles, means for moving needles lengthwise to press off stitches carried thereby and for thereafter reversing the lengthwise movements of the needles, means for directing a blast of air against the fabric to move the pressed on stitches out of the path of the needles in their last mentioned movements to prevent engagement of the pressed oif stitches by the needles, and means for stopping the machine upon failure of the supply of air for said blast.

13. A knitting machine comprising independently movable latch needles, and means for directing a blast of air upon the hooks of the needles for opening the latches thereof and for maintaining the latches open against rebound.

STANLEY R. SHELMIRE.

References Cited in the ille of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 966,707 Rogginger Aug. 9, 1910 2,405,162 Nyhuis Aug. 6, 1946 2,424,033 Hilker et al July 15, 1947 2,506,968 Oberholtzer May 9, 1950 

